Two things before you read on:
- The events depicted in this blog are probably fictitious. Any similarity to any person living or dead is merely coincidental.
- “The mind of man can imagine nothing which has not really existed.” —Edgar Allan Poe
One fundamental feature of a democracy is accountability. We fail as a society every time we fail to hold ourselves accountable. Corporate Governance became the buzz word post-satyam. However, inspite of a number of scandals involving educational institutions, we’re yet to talk about University Governance (UG).
UG is about transparency in the decision making process by the various actors in a University. As a stakeholder in the University, I have a right to know where the money I am paying is going. Asking every University to issue a detailed financial report would be the first step towards achieving respect for the way our Universities are being run.
How much of my money was spent on a conference? How much is being spent on paying the faculty? How much money is used to pay the water and electricity bills? No one can give me these answers. Why doesn’t the University bring out a report stating how each rupee was used ? If they actually keep accounts of everything that is being done, then why not publish them?
The last time I spoke about this, my cousin in the United States bluntly asked me why I didn’t file an RTI application. The reason is simple. Any time we question the functioning of the system, we are looked upon as those who are against it. By questioning the actions of the University, I will automatically be considered ‘unfriendly’. An ‘unfriendly’ is supposed to be silenced.
So when a teacher went to the Registrar to inform him that he was going to get 150 RTI applications, the Registrar calmly told him it would not be entertained and he should immediately cancel the assignment. The next day we were told to file the RTI applications in any organisation apart from the University. The message to him was clear - By allowing these people to file applications, you are putting the reputation of the University at risk.
The teacher left the following semester. He wasn’t the smartest teacher but certainly someone who wanted to know what was going on. Even though he was a senior teacher, he was denied such information.
While taking the viva of a few students who had written about the RTI and corruption, he told us a little story; believable and interesting. The reason he told us because he already had a job at another University and even if this did get out, he would be far gone by then.
Every year my University either purchases items like books, chairs or constructs a building or two. It so happens that the company which wins the contract is usually one linked to a senior member of the administration. The member floats a company much before the bids are called and makes sure he provides a winning quote.
Apart from the students, there aren’t many other people who would question the functioning of a University. The Bar Council of India asks Universities to file an annual report. That report again is not publicly available in the University or the campus. The State Government has lost most of its influence has the University does not depend on State funding. And no one really knows when the Governing Council of the University meets or what they do.
Most of our Universities fail to provide us the most basic amenities. At places the canteen food is considered tasteless and inedible. Yet, the canteen operator would have been working at the University for years. A building would already have cracks within one year of its construction, however, the same contractor wins another contract.
Now, I understand that as a student my priority lies at studying. However, turning a blind eye and not questioning what is happening around me defeats any purpose I might have ever had at this place of learning.
See John2010’s other blogs:
8 disturbing signs that our elected representatives have forgotten us.
How comrade whistle blower lost his ethical virginity
The PM on legal education: What he said and did not say.
Dear Prudence: … Litigation is really interesting but …?
The 26/11 Judgement fails the maturity test and how we can still salvage justice.
Comments
“… when a teacher went to the Registrar to inform him that he was going to get 150 RTI applications, the Registrar calmly told him it would not be entertained and he should immediately cancel the assignment. The next day we were told to file the RTI applications in any organisation apart from the University” – What I don’t get here is, how can the Registrar say RTI applications won’t be entertained. Its law and the Registrar would be guilty of violation if he doesn’t abide by the enactment/s in force which apply to the University. And what is the “assignment”? Also, if you want information about the University, what other organization do you approach other than the University itself? Point being, Regi was talking bull. In case your college has a very strong group with vested interest and can harm you, then its an uphill task and you will need to weigh the pros and cons and then take steps if you feel strongly about it.
I think the best scenario would be the BCI / UGC requiring the University to publish relevant info. But then, in your situation, what will you do if you feel that certain conferences are a waste of money. If the interest group is very strong and you fear getting crushed, what can you do with the information? Then, the best scenario would be a chunk of students (if not majority) rebelling by way of filing RTIs and seeing the matter through and through and thereafter question and oppose certain events that are clearly bad in law (like non-competitive tender allocation to favourites for the procurement etc.)
As the saying goes - "All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to stand by and do nothing". Although I will say in the beginning that my university did not have a maniac in a powerful position except for a 2-3 month period in my 5 years, there were enough bad guys all along. If you really want to fight for something, and it is really worth to tackle all the backlash that would inevitably follow, then just start the fight. And fight all the way. You will be surprised to see how scared those "seemingly unafraid devils" are. Even if s/he is the VC or the Regi or a faculty teaching a subject in which you are weak, you will win. You don't need batch support. 5-6 ppl's support is enough and you don't need to start with that. Start it yourself. But prepare, use tact, use publicity, and scare them into believeing that you would do something drastic in public / media / courts. They will budge, then they will buckle, and then they will fall. And after that, other devils would think twice before playing any crap game with you.
Best,
#1